Trump Praises Obama During Awkward White House Meeting

It was an image as jarring as it was unexpected: Donald Trump and Barack Obama sitting side by side in the White House on Thursday, as the former Apprentice star and real-estate developer prepares to take control of the presidency from the man he spent years trying to delegitimize as a foreign-born interloper. After speaking privately for a scheduled 15-minute meeting that ultimately stretched to an hour and a half, the two delivered a surprisingly conciliatory statement from the Oval Office to the gathered press.

“Well, I just had the opportunity to have an excellent conversation with President-elect Trump,” Obama said, reiterating his promise to facilitate a peaceful transition of power from his administration to a Trump administration. The president said that he was “very encouraged” by their conversation, which remained private.

“I believe that it is important for all of us, regardless of party, and regardless of political preferences, to now come together, work together, to deal with the many challenges that we face,” Obama continued. “Most of all, I want to emphasize to you, Mr. President-elect, that we now are going to want to do everything we can to help you succeed—because if you succeed, then the country succeeds.”

Trump, who flew into Washington Thursday morning accompanied by his wife and his small entourage of trusted advisers, was uncharacteristically subdued as he sat across from the president, whom he had never met. “I have great respect,” he said, sitting in a chair often occupied by visiting heads of state. The two had a wonderful meeting about the future, Trump said—“As far as I'm concerned, it could have gone on for a lot longer”—adding Obama is a “good man” and that he looks forward to continuing to receive his “counsel.”

Elsewhere, Melania Trump met with Michelle Obama to privately discuss the office of First Lady; Joe Biden was scheduled to meet with Vice President-elect Mike Pence; and Jared Kushner was spotted strolling around the White House grounds with White House chief of staff Denis McDonough, fueling speculation about what role he might play in his father-in-law’s administration.

Trump was also scheduled to sit down with House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, two men he once vowed to punish for their lack of loyalty during the general election. The Republican leaders had quietly encouraged vulnerable Republican congressional candidates to distance themselves from Trump, if necessary, in order to win election. Both have since offered praise for Trump upon winning the presidency, and released statements promising to work together to expeditiously pass a sweeping conservative budget.

The meeting between Trump and Obama marks a notable change in tone for the president-elect, who months earlier had accused the president of founding ISIS, and who has routinely called on federal prosecutors to jail Hillary Clinton. (The president-elect thanked his opponent for a hard-fought campaign in a similarly placatory victory speech Tuesday night.) In private of course, the Obama White House is reportedly seething at the prospect that Trump may undo much of their accomplishments over the past eight years. Obama and his aides are reportedly scrambling to nail down everything they can, containing what is expected to be a massive and immediate series of legislative and regulatory setbacks for Democrats as soon as Trump takes control.

While Obama gritted his teeth Thursday, hints of the roiling anger within his administration bubbled to the surface. An expected photo op, traditionally held between the incoming and outgoing First Couples, was cancelled. No explanation was given, and neither Obama nor Trump answered questions from the press. “This is a good rule: don’t answer the questions when they just start yelling at you,” Obama advised his successor as they sat in the Oval Office. To which Trump reportedly responded, “It’s always the last one.”